Cheltenham Champion Hurdle 2025 – Betting Preview


Constitution Hill Race Horse Cheltenham


Day one of the Cheltenham Festival is headlined by the Champion Hurdle, which pits the very best two-mile hurdlers against each other for a crack at one of the meeting’s richest prizes.

The 2025 edition looks set to be a humdinger, with the two most recent Champion Hurdle winners – Constitution Hill and State Man – back for another shot at the title.

And with two of the most talented mares in racing also amongst the ante post contenders, this could be a Champion Hurdle for the ages.

But where does the best of the betting value lie?

Cruise Control

Constitution Hill is the odds-on favourite and currently best priced with PricedUp bet at 8/11, with little in the way of evidence to detract punters from Nicky Henderson’s superstar.

Ten runs, ten wins: the eight-year-old has been perfection personified throughout his hurdling career, with three of those victories coming at the Prestbury Park track.

Those Cheltenham Festival credentials were franked in the 2022 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, where Constitution Hill bettered the impressive Jonbon by a staggering 22 lengths, before a nine-length margin of triumph in the 2023 Champion Hurdle crowned the Michael Buckley owned horse as the best in the business.

Illness robbed him of a title defence last year, while a below-par November gallop – caught on camera – suggested that trouble was afoot.

But not a bit of it. After a year of inactivity, Constitution Hill returned in December’s Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and blew the field away; stretching more than two lengths clear of Lossiemouth, another Champion Hurdle who was carrying seven pounds less than the favourite thanks to the mares’ allowance.

A win at Cheltenham in January was rather more eventful – Constitution Hill kicking down the last fence, but thankfully staying upright before cantering away to victory.

Odds-on favourites at the Cheltenham Festival do not always fare as expected – the likes of El Fabiolo, Mighty Potter and Shishkin all failing to convert when well backed in recent years, but there’s just something different about Constitution Hill, who has rarely looked troubled even at Grade 1 level.

Constitution Hill to win by five lengths or more

For reasons that we’ll explore shortly, backing Constitution Hill to win by five lengths or more may just be the best bet of the Champion Hurdle in 2025.

Having a Mare

The second and third favourites in the Champion Hurdle ante post market, Brighterdaysahead and Lossiemouth, may not even contest the race.

One, or both, could yet be pointed at the Mares’ Hurdle – at the time of writing, connections had yet to make their decisions on that front.

Could either challenge Constitution Hill anyway? The sole defeat suffered by Brighterdaysahead came in her only run to date at Cheltenham in last year’s festival, while eye-catching Grade 1 wins this season come with the caveat that she only beat so-so fields headlined by another Champion Hurdle contender, State Man.

Mares do have a decent record in the Champion Hurdle – Honeysuckle, Epatante and Annie Power just three to have prevailed in the Cheltenham Festival showpiece in recent years, aided by the 7lb allowance that they are afforded.

But even off that mark, Lossiemouth was no match for Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle, while a heavy fall in the Irish Champion Hurdle in February also caught the eye.

The Place to Be

Most bookmakers are offering three places on the Champion Hurdle, with some no doubt enhancing that to four on race day.

So opportunity knocks for some of the longer-priced horses in the field to nick a place; particularly if Brighterdaysahead and/or Lossiemouth head for the Mares’ Hurdle instead.

State Man, a general 6/1 chance, is an interesting proposition for punters as he will secure a profit for each way backers if he finishes inside the top three.

It’s unlikely that he would be able to outrun Constitution Hill and he’s lost twice to Brighterdaysahead already this term, but Willie Mullins’ horse is a game type that has won both the Cheltenham and Irish Champion Hurdle.

He’s only finished lower than third in one of his 17 career starts, so State Man will surely be there or thereabouts in the final shake-up.

Of the rest of the field, perhaps Golden Ace (available between 25/1 and 33/1) is a dangerous outsider for a place. A Cheltenham Festival winner in 2024, having downed the likes of Brighterdaysahead and Jade De Grugy in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, the seven-year-old was impressive last time out in February.

She won the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton, defeating the likes of Burdett Road and putting 12 lengths between her and Brentford Hope, who was only three lengths behind Constitution Hill at Cheltenham in January.

The best bets for the Champion Hurdle will be determined by who takes their place in the final field. But if the current declarations hold true, it’s hard to see past Constitution Hill and Brighterdaysahead in a 1-2 forecast.


Cheltenham Betting Offers

Top 20 Betting Offers

Betway
Betway
£30 Free Bet Claim Offer

*New UK customers only. Min Stake: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football, Horse Racing, Tennis, Cricket or Basketball multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. Earn a £30 Uber Eats Voucher on successful Acca qualification. Debit Card deposit only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. 18+ GambleAware.org. Bet the Responsible Way. Full Terms apply

Tote
Tote
Bet £10 Get £50 in Bonuses Claim Offer

New customers online only. Valid with code B10G50 on registration. Bet min £/€10 at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £/€10 Win + £/€10 Place) within 7 days of registration. Receive £/€20 Tote Credit, £/€10 Sports Bet, 2 x £/€5 Sports Acca and 50 Free Spins. 7-day expiry. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool or sports bet added to the bet-slip. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org.

talkSPORTBET
talkSPORTBET
Get up to £40 Football Free Bets Claim Offer

18+ New customers only. Opt in and bet up to £40 (min. £20) via mobile or app on any football (odds 1/1+) within 7 days of registration. Get up to £40 in free bets on selected markets, which expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly

Coral
Coral
Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets Claim Offer

18+ New Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. 1st Deposit & Bet £/€10+ at min odds 1/2 on Sports within 14 days of account reg & Get 4x £10 Free Bets (selected sportsbook markets only, valid 7 days) Max 1 Free Bet per player. Restrictions + T&Cs apply.

BetMGM
BetMGM
Bet £10, Get £40 in Free Bets Claim Offer

New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 football, 1 x £10 horse racing & 2 x £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.

Betfred
Betfred
Bet £10 and get £50 in Free Bets Claim Offer

New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply.

Unibet
Unibet
Bet £10 Get £40 in Bonuses Claim Offer

18+. BeGambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Min £10 debit card deposit. Place a £10+ bet at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days. Opt in for £20 sports free bet and £20 Casino Bonus. Valid for 7 days. Geographical restrictions and T&C’s apply. #AD

Bet442
Bet442
Bet £20, Get £20 in Free Bets Claim Offer

18+. New customers only. Deposit and place first bet of £20 or more at min odds Evens (2.0). Get £20 in Free Bets credited as x1 £10 Free Bet and x2 £5 Bet Builder Free BetsT&Cs Apply. Please gamble responsibly.

BetMaze
BetMaze
Bet £20 Get £20 Free Bet Claim Offer

18+ New customers only. Min deposit £20. Min Wager £20 at min odds 1/1 (2.0). Max free bet £20. T&Cs apply begambleaware.

Midnite
Midnite
Bet £5 Get £30 in Free Bets Claim Offer

18+ New customers only. Place a £5+ bet at minimum odds of 1/1 (2.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get £25 in Free Sports Bets + 50 Free Spins (valued at £0.10 each), valid for 7 days on selected bets and games. Free stake not returned with winnings. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org

QuickBet
QuickBet
Bet £10 Get a £10 Free Bet Claim Offer

#AD | Welcome bonus for new players only | Maximum bonus is 100% up to £100 | Min. deposit is £10 | No max cash out | Wagering is 40x bonus | Maximum bet with an active bonus is £5 | Eligibility is restricted for suspected abuse | Skrill & Neteller deposits excluded for welcome bonus | Cashback when offered, applies to deposits where no bonus is included | Cashback is cash with no restrictions | T&C's apply |Free bet: Min odds: 2.0 - Free bet value will be deducted from free bet winnings | 18+ | BeGambleAware.org | Gambling is addictive, please gamble responsibly!

LiveScore Bet
LiveScore Bet
Bet £10, Get £40 in Free Bets Claim Offer

*New members only. £10+ bet on sportsbook (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days on sportsbook only. 2x£5 Free Bets for Bet Builder only. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org. 18+

Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes
Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets Claim Offer

18+. New UK & ROI customers only . Certain deposit methods & bet types excl . Min first £10 win or E/W bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 & get 4 x £10 free bets . Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + T&C apply

10bet
10bet
100% Welcome Bonus up to £50 Claim Offer

New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, payment method exclusions apply; New customers only. T&C apply; 18+ Please gamble responsibly.

William Hill
William Hill
Bet £10, Get £40 in Free Bets Claim Offer

18+. Play Safe. Online only. For new UK register customers using promo code G40. Deposit & place £10 cash single bet (min odds 1/2) on sportsbook (excl. Virtuals). Get £40 in Free Bets (4x£10), valid for sportsbook (excl. Virtuals), 7 days expiry, must use in full (£10 each). Not valid with deposits via PayPal, Neosurf, Paysafe, Apple Pay, NETELLER, Skrill, ecoPayz, Kalibra/Postpay or WH PLUS Card. One per customer. Full T&Cs apply. www.gambleaware.org #ad

32Red
32Red
150% Casino Bonus up to £150! Claim Offer

18+. BeGambleAware.org. New customers only. Min. £10 deposit, debit card only. Up to 50x wagering, game contributions vary, max. stake applies, 7 day expiry. See full terms. #AD

PUB Sports
PUB Sports
Bet £10, Get a £10 Free Bet Claim Offer

New Customer only. £10 in real money. Bets placed on sports at odds of 2.00 or more to qualify. Bets must be placed 24 hours within registration. £10 free bets must be wagered on sports. Full terms apply. Gambling can be addictive, play responsibly. 18+

SportingIndex
SportingIndex
Bet £10 Get £20 Claim Offer

New customers place a £10 fixed odds bet at minimum odds of 1/2. Get 2 x £10 free bets. 18+ begambleaware

BetZone
BetZone
Bet £10 Get £20 in Free Bets Claim Offer

18+ | New Customers Only | Promo Code: WELCOME10 | Place a single £10 bet within 3 calendar days of registration. Bet must settle on the same day of placement | Min odds Evens (2.00) | Get 2 x £5 UK/Irish Horse Racing Free Bets + 2 x £5 Football Free Bets | Free Bets valid for 7 days | Max win £250 | T&Cs apply | GB residents only | Gamble responsibly

BetWright
BetWright
Bet £10, Get a £10 Free Bet Claim Offer

New Customers use code EPL10. Deposit £10 and place a bet of £10 on any Premier League Outrights 2025/26 market at minimum odds of 2.0. Free Bet credited within 24 hours and must be wagered on English Premier League markets only. Full Terms apply. Bangers N'Cash rewards are a separate promotional scheme and must be opted into during the weekly promotional period via the BetWright Rewards Section. 18+ begambleaware.